Bagging apparatus



March 31, 1970 JEAN-Louis PIERRE 3,503,179

BAGGING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 1s, 196e A s sheets-sheet 1 IHVBNTOR JEAN-LOUIS PIERRE TORNEx March 31, 1970 JEAN-Louis PIERRE 3,503,179

BAGGING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 13, 1968 INVENTOR BY JEAN-LOUIS PIERRE TTORNBY March 31, 1970 JEAN-LOUIS PIERRE BAGGIN G APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 13, 1968 RE Y 0R E TR. n E R EI O VP N T IS A I United States Patent O Int. c1. Bssb 43/30, 43/44 U.S. Cl. 53-188 10 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A bagging apparatus having a pair of bag gripping carriages movable on diverging rails. The rails terminate beneath a bag filling nozzle where additional grippers are provided to retain the opened bag at that point for lling. A transfer mechanism provides lifting of individual bags from a horizontal stack magazine to the gripping carriages and signal generating mechanisms are provided to sequentially actuate the components of the apparatus for automatic operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to improvements in bagging apparatus and more specifically to an improved apparatus for picking up, opening and presenting empty bags to a filling nozzle.

Bagging apparatus have particular utility in automatic bag filling devices wherein bags are individually removed from storage, opened and presented to a filling nozzle for deposition of a predetermined amount of material therein. Particular difficulty has been experienced, in the prior art, in filling bags fabricated from, for example, thin film polyethylene or the like wherein the walls of the bags tend to cling together because of electrostatic attraction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides an improved bagging apparatus which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by furnishing means to individually pick up and transfer bags from a stack to a mechanism which independently grips opposed walls of the bags proximate the mouth thereof and simultaneously opens and presents the mouth of the bag to a filling nozzle.

The invention further relates to a combined mechanism comprising the aforedescribed device for opening and presenting the mouth of the bag to a nozzle and a device for picking up empty bags stacked horizontally in a magazine.

The invention still further provides an improved mechanism in which each successive step of the operation is automatically controlled. Although the invention can be utilized for filling bags fabricated from any material, particular utility is afforded in filling bags of plastic material such, for example, as thin film polyethylene. Bags of any capacity may be filled by an apparatus in accordance with the invention; however, the apparatus finds particular utility in large size bags, lcontaining up to 50 kilograms o-f granular or pulverulent solid substances.

In a suitable embodiment, the invention comprises a pair of carriages having one or more suction grips disposed thereon. The carriages are adapted to move simultaneously on a pair of horizontal rails which diverge in the form of an open V encompassing a lling nozzle at the open end of the V. The rails are oriented in such a. manner that the bags are fed between the rails in the narrow part of the V and are then moved toward the open end of the V beneath the filling nozzle. An arm,

accommodating suction grips at one end and pivotally mounted at the other end on an axle, swings from a horizontal position to a vertical position to grip and transfer horizontally disposed bags from a magazine to the carriages.

The objects and attendant advantages of this invention will become better understood to those skilled in the art by reference to the following detailed description in light of the accompanying drawings wherein like components throughout the figures thereof are indicated by like numerals and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a mechanism in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the mechanism of FIGURE 1 taken along the line A-A thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 2 taken along the line BB of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 4 is a partial plan View of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 showing, in detail, portions of the structure thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic view of the driving mechanism of the embodiment of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 6 is a schematic view of an apparatus for adjusting the level of the bag magazine of the embodiment of FIGURE 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, the apparatus comprises a frame 1 supporting a bag magazine 2. Empty, folded bags are stacked horizontally in the magazine 2. An arm 3, in the form of a metal plate, has mounted on one end thereof vacuum-operated suction grips 4 and is pivoted proximate the other end thereof about an axle 5. Pivotal motion of the arm 3 is accomplished by means of a pneumatic jack 6. The jack 6, as best seen in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, is extended when air pressure is applied thereto so that the arm 3 is disposed in a vertical position. When air pressure is relieved in the jack 6, the arm 3 swings to its normal horizontal position as indicated in phantom lines.

A jack 7 is disposed on arm 3 proximate its free end but before suction discs 4 and, when actuated, increases the length of the arm. A pair of carriages 8 and 8', disposed on a pair of diverging rails 12 and 12 proximate the upper end of the arm 3, are provided with plates 9 and 9 mounted thereon through jacks 10 and 11 which serve, when actuated, to press the plates against one another. The plates have, disposed thereon, an alternating series of vacuum-operated suction grips and rigid discs arranged in such a manner that the suction discs on one carriage coincide with the rigid discs on the opposing carriage.

Translation of the carriages 8 and 8 on the rails 12 and 12 is accomplished by means of chains 12". With particular reference to FIGURE 5, it is seen that the chain 12 is attached to a fixed point O, and passes, in series, over tackle pulleys 14' and return pulleys 14, 15 and 14". The tackle pulleys 14 are mounted on the piston rod of a jack 13 through a Tashaped fitting 25 (FIGURE 4). Actuation of the jacks 13 displaces the tackle pulleys 14, and, through the chains 12, translates the carriages 8 and 8. Since the chains 12" are attached to the fixed point O, the stroke of the jack 13 need only be half that of the required run of the carriages 8 and 8. Actuation of the jack 13 from the extended configuration illustrated toward the retracted configuration, moves the carriages 8 and S' toward the wide end of the V-configuration formed by the rails 12 and 12". Return of the carriages 8 and `8' to the narrow part of the V formed by the rails 12 and 12 is accomplished by means of counterweights 16 and a slight, constant counterpressure biasing the rear side of the piston of the jack 13, thereby maintaining the chains 12 under continuous tension. Due to the design of the aforedescribed components, the volume of compressed air required for actuation of the jack 13 is minimal since only one power stroke is required of the jack 13, and that stroke is only half the length of the run of the carriages 8 and 8.

A discharge c hute 17 terminating in a filling nozzle 18 is disposed above the open end of the V formed by the rails 12 and 12'. Jacks 19 and 20 (FIGURE 1) are provided to actuate the nozzle 18 which, as best seen in FIGURE l, moves downwardly to the position shown in phantom lines while simultaneously opening to provide flow therethrough. As seen best in FIGURE 3, jacks 21 and 22 press a bag 23 against the sides of the extended portion of the nozzle 18.

The invention provides means to maintain a constant level in the bag magazine 2 to facilitate feeding therefrom. A constant level can be accomplished by the system schematically illustrated in FIGURE 6 of the draw ings. T he part forming the base of the bag magazine 2 is elevated by two vertical jacks actuated through gear wheels 26 and worm screws 27. The jacks are preferably actuatable both by an automatic system responsive to impulses generated by each swing of the arm 3 and by a multiple speed motor which provides means to quickly move the platform of the magazine 2 up or down `for receiving a stack of bags or for adjusting the level of the platform. Switching between automatic operation and operation by the multiple speed motor is preferably performed manually.

The automatic lifting system comprises a pneumatic jack 28, an idler roller 29 with a cable 30 passed around the roller and attached, at one end, to the piston rod of the jack 28 and at the other end to a fixed point by means of a spring (not shown) which maintains a biais to normally dispose the rod in the position shown in FIGURE 6. The stroke F of the rod is controlled by an abutment 31 which may be moved according to the thickness of the bags being filled in the apparatus. Upon an impulse generated by actuation of the arm 3, the piston rod of the jack 28 is actuated and the cable 30 rotates the roller 29 through an angle which is a function of the stroke F of the piston rod. After termination of the signal, the

' spring returns the piston rod to the position illustrated.

A sprocket wheel 32, fixed on the idler roller 29, is connected to a wheel 33 by means of a chain 33. The Wheel 33 is mounted on a shaft connecting the Worm screws 27.

A multiple speed motor 34, connectable to the shaft driving the worm screws 27 through a belt 36 and a clutch 35, can also actuate the jacks by operation of the clutch.

It should be understood that any suitable mechanism for maintaining a desired level of the magazine 2 may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the invention.

Although in the specifically described embodiment, pneumatic jacks are contemplated with automation of the actuation of jacks accomplished pneumatically, it should be understood that screw iacks or electrically operated devices such as solenods, automatically operated electrically, may be utilized Without exceeding the scope of the invention.

In operation, the aforedescribed device functions as follows: Starting with the arm 3 in a vertical position, the jack 7 is extended. With the magazine 2 loaded, a manual signal actuates the jack 6 to swing the arm 3 downwardly to the position shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 2, at which point the jack 7 is retracted so that the suction grips 4 engage the top edge 0f the uppermost bag in the magazine 2, The arm 3 then swings back to its original vertical position carrying with it the uppermost bag, whereupon the jack 7 is extended to raise the mouth of the bag into a position between the carriages 8 and 8.

Through means, such, for example, as trip switches, photoelectric cells or the like, a signal is generated as the arm returns to the vertical position and, if the carriages 8 and 8 are present, the jacks 10 and 11 are actuated to bring the suction grips of the plates 9 and 9' into engagement with the walls of the bag.

By means of a further signal, generated, for example, by the release of the preceding bag, the jack 13 is actuated and the carriages 8 and 8 move from the narrow portion of the V formed by the rails 12 and 12 to the open portion thereof, thereby gradually opening the bag gripped between the carriages while simultaneously moving the bag to the nozzle 18. Means can be provided, if necessary, to displace the arm 3 slightly as the carriages 8 and 8' move to allow for opening of the bag.

The aforedescribed control system for the bagging apparatus is preferably connected with a control system for the bag filling apparatus (actuation of the nozzle 18, weighing scales7 etc.) and with a control system for maintaining the bag magazine at a constant level. Means are provided so that the carriages 8 and 8', while moving on the rails 12 and 12', successively actuate: (a) the arm 3 for return to a horizontal position and gripping of the successive bag; (b) retraction of the jacks 10 and 11; (c) operation of a weighing scale for the substance being baggedgand (d) the opening and downward extension of the nozzle 18.

Means are provided such that the downward extension of the nozzle 18 successively causes actuation of: (a) jacks 10 and 11 to press the walls of the bag against the nozzle 18; (b) jacks 21 and 22 for holding the bag to the nozzle; (c) release of the vacuum in the suction grips of the plates 9 and 9 of the carriages 8 and 8'; (d) retraction of the jacks 10 and 11 terminating contact between the carriages 8 and 8 and the bag being filled; and (e) carriages 8 and 8' for return toward the narrow part ofthe V formed by the rails 12 and 12'.

When the bags are filled, as may be determined by a weighing mechanism or the like, the jacks 21 and 22 are retracted and the filled bag is released. The bag may then be removed by any suitable means, such, for example, as a conveyor 24 (FIGURE l). Upon dropping of the bag onto the conveyor, a signal is generated by means such as a pneumatic or photoelectric cell and the succeeding bag is gripped by the carriages 8 and 8 for the initiation of a new cycle.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. Consequently, such changes and modifications are properly, equitably, and intended to be, within the full range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A bagging apparatus for picking up, opening and presenting empty bags to a bag filling nozzle comprising:

(a) a pair of horizontal rails disposed in a substantially V-shaped diverging configuration with the Wide end of the V-shaped configuration disposed to encompass a bag filling nozzle;

(b) a carriage mounted on each of said rails, with bag gripping means mounted on each of said carriages; and

(c) a means to move said carriages between the ends of said rails.

2. A bagging apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising an arm pivotally mounted at one end to swing from a horizontal position to a vertical position with the free end thereof disposed beneath the narrow end of the V configuration formed by said rails, and `bag gripping means disposed on the free end of said arm to transfer bags from a horizontal stack to said carriages.

3. A bagging mechanism in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means to move said carriages comprises tension members attached between said carriages and a fixed point, and jack means slidably atached to said tension members intermediate the ends thereof to provide movement of said carriages with a jack stroke half the distance of said carriage movement.

4. A bagging apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein a movable plate having alternate suction grips and rigid discs is disposed on each of said carriages, the suction grips of one of said plates being disposed to oppose the rigid discs of the other of said plates, and means to selectively move said plates toward and away from one another.

5. A bagging apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a bag magazine for holding horizontally stacked empty bags mounted on said frame;

an arm pivotally mounted at one end to said frame proximate said magazine, a first jack mounted on the other end of said arm, first suction grips associated with said jack, means for moving said arm between a horizontal position to grip a bag in said magazine with said suction grips and a vertical position to transfer said bag from said magazine;

a pair of horizontal rails disposed in a substantially V-shaped diverging conliguration with the narrow end of the V-shaped configuration disposed to encompass the free end of said arm when said arm is in the vertical position;

a carriage mounted on each of said rails, a plate disposed on each of said carriages, said first jack disposed to extend said first suction grips between said carriages when said arm is moved to the vertical position and interpose the bag gripped thereby between said carriages;

a second jack on each of said carriages for moving said plates toward one another, and second suction grips mounted on said plates for gripping said bag; and

means to move said carriages toward the open end of said V-shaped configuration to open the bag gripped by said second suction grips for filling.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said means to move the carriages comprises chains connected to said carriages and to a fixed point spaced therefrom, and a third jack slidably engaging said chains to provide displacement thereof transverse to the longitudinal direction to move said carriages when actuated toward the open end of said V shaped coniiguration, and

counterweight means connected to said carriages for re-v turn thereof to the narrow end of said V-shaped configuration upon deactivation of said third jack.

7. A bagging mechanism in accordance with claim 5 fur-ther comprising means to incrementally elevate said bag magazine on each cycle of said arms to maintain the uppermost bag contained in said magazine at a constant level,'means to adjust the amount of incremental elevation of said magazine according to the thickness of the bags being processed.

8*.' A bagging apparatus in accordance with claim l5 wherein said jacks comprise pneumatically actuated piston cylinders automatically actuated by pneumatic nterconnection means.

9. A bagging apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein automatic actuation of said jacks is accompli'shed by electrical interconnection.

10. A bagging apparatus in accordance with claim 8 in combination with a filling apparatus and means to control actuation of said filling apparatus wherein said pneumatic interconnection means are interconnected to said means to control actuation of said lilling apparatus for`automated sequential operation thereof,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,190,049 6/1965 Van Der Meulen 53-187 XR 3,287,879 11/1966 Miller 53-188 TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner H. M. CULVER, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

